Tips, Trends & Living January 19, 2017

Kickoff 2017 – Design Trends Panel

At our recent Kick-off event for the Windermere offices on the Eastside, 3 design experts participated in a panel discussing the latest trends for the home here in the Pacific Northwest. Susan Marinello, of Susan Marinello Interiors, Brenda Gage from JayMarc Homes, and Sheri Olson, of Sheri Olson Architecture, dished on the freshest interior design elements and frequently requested features for home design.

Susan Marinello

Susan shared that appliance rejuvenation is in full force. New materials for use for countertops and flooring are a fresh take within kitchens, with granite use starting to subside. Black as a neutral within the kitchen is also on trend.

Susan also discussed what trends are out, out, out. Her top pick: microwaves over the range. Other fading design elements are tub/shower combo, and a mixture of too many materials within a room. Less is definitely more. Simple, neutral, clean lines, open, light – those are the goals for being fresh and on trend. Susan said, “The power of paint is a beautiful thing!”

Brenda Gage

Brenda was asked to name a few most requested home features from JayMarc’s new construction clients. The dual master bedrooms, with one on the upper level and one on the main level, is right up at the top. The jr master suite on the main level is perfect for multigenerational families, those with extended family who live out of area but will be visiting, and homeowners who are thinking ahead about aging in place.

In fact, other aging in place home features, like planning for an elevator, are also sought after. More rooms with en suite bathrooms are desired by families with teens. With the number of Tesla cars being purchased in the Pacific Northwest, the request to include Tesla battery chargers in the garage is increasingly popular. Brenda also mentioned how the popularity of modern design is surging in our area. Design modeled after the Craftsman style is more closely associated with the Big Recession.

Sheri Olson

Sheri echoed the popularity of home design that helps facilitate aging in place. Sheri also identified more informal living space, both inside and out, as highly sought after. The addition of a mud room as command central is becoming highly desirable in the PNW.

Sheri stated that homeowners are taking a closer look at what makes more sense to create the home they seek: raise or raze. Older homes that contain cherished period details that would be too expensive to replicate today may be a better choice for a remodel. However, increasingly homeowners are finding that it makes more fiscal sense to tear down a home and rebuild to create the home they desire. Things to look at are height restrictions, along with zoning and permitting issues within your city.
NW architecture style where the natural setting helps shape the home design is also seeing a resurgence here.


Homeowners that opt for clean, classic lines, neutrals, and design that welcomes our Pacific Northwest environment will be well served by their home updates. In addition, those home buyers who are planning to live in their homes for long time have many options available to make aging in place possible.

Photo credit: Frances Gaul